Hinge for umbrella braces and ribs.



H. L. JOHNSTON. HINGE FOB UMBRELLA BRAOES AND RIBS.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.9,1908.

926,256. Patented June 29, 1909.

Wilma:

UNITED sra'rasrarnnr enrich.

HERBERT L. JOIINSTON, OF TROY, Ol-LlO, ASSIG'NOR TO Tlltl TROY ()A ltltlAGhLSUh' SHADE COMPANY, OF TROY, OHIO, A (10 ltlOItA'llON 0] 01.110.

HINGE FOR UMBRELLA BRACES AND RIBS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hnimna'r L. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hinges for Umbrella Ribs and Braces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvement in hinged joints for umbrella ribs and braces.

The object of the invention is to provide a joint which will be simple and effective in operation, cheap and easy to manufacture and quickly and easily assembled.

The invention consists in the constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rib member after being stamped or cut but before being attached to the rib. Fig. 4t is a side elevation of same. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the brace member of the joint after being stamped or cut but before being attached to the rib. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the plate from which same is formed in a partially completed state.

Like parts are represented by similar characters of reference in the several views.

In the said drawings, a represents one of the members of the hinge joint, and b, the other member, both being formed from sheet metal. The member, a, is attached to the rib, c, and the member, 6, is attached to the brace or stretcher, d, of the umbrella, both the rib and brace being preferably formed of round steel rods.

The sheet metal plate, a, is formed in the shape shown in Fig. 5 at one operation of the machine. Circular notches, a a are punched in the respective sides of the plate, one on each side of the center thereof. Those portions, a of the sides between the notches are left to extend laterally from the respective sides of the plates, while those portions, a a are bent up at right-angles to the main body of the plate. The proportion of the parts is such that when the plate is bent about the rib and the laterally projecting hinge portions thereof drawn together by the pivot member, such as the rivet, e, the sharp corners, (4*, of the upturned portions, a will impinge against the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 9, 1908.

Patented Julie 29, 1909.

Serial No. 466,694.

rib and not only act to firmly secure the plate to the rib but, at the same time, form stops to maintain the respective ends of the plate in which are the pivot holes, a in straight parallel lines so that the pivot holes will accurately register with each other, as shown best in Fig. 2. At the same time the upturned portions, (4 stiffen and strengthen the hinge portions of the clip. By forming the notches, a upon the arc of a circle, as described, it will be seen that the portions, (4*, will conform to the shape of the round rib so that the points a" will be better able to obtain a grip thereon to firmly hold the plate or clip in position. This clip, a, is secured to the rib, it will be understood, at some point between its ends so that the ends of the clip containing the pivot holes will extend laterally therefrom.

The other member, Z), of the joint is stamped at one operation to the shape shown in Fig. The side of the plate shown in Fig. 8 is the one which will form the outside of the member in its completed state. On one side of the plate is formed a dovetailed groove, 5 and on the opposite side is formed a projecting tongue, 5 conformed to the shape of the groove. vOn one end of the plate are two cars, 5 having pivot holes, 5. These ears are bent upwardly from the plate, with their outer ends, however, lying in a plane parallel with the plane of the plate. The member, I), is bent about the end of the brace, (Z, and the tongue locked in the groove. The end of the brace is first scarred in some suitable manner, prel erably by forming thereon screw-threads, Z), by stamping, and the metal of the member, Z), will be forced down into this scarred surface of the brace by swaging or other- 95 wise so as to tightly clamp the brace, with the ears extending beyond the same. This bending operation brings the pivot holes,

6*, in registry with each other, and the relation of the parts is such that the cars will 100 lie snugly adjacent to and parallel with the laterally-extending portions of the clip, a, so that all of the pivot holes will lie in perfect registry with each other to receive the rivet, e, which secures them together and 1 about which they pivot. This construction obviates all binding of the hinge when the umbrella is raised, since a oint is provided which cannot be easily twisted or bent to throw the pivot holes out of alinement with each other. The parts are easily and quickly assembled and When in place are held firmly clamped in position.

Having thus described by invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a brace, a hinge member formed from a plate of sheet metal, interlocking parts formed thereon, said plate being bent around the said brace and clamped thereto by said interlocking parts, and pivot ears extended from one end of said plate and beyond the end of said rib, said ears being bent laterally away from the main body of said metal plate so that the ends thereof will lie in different parallel planes, substantially as specified.

i In a device of the character described, a brace, a hinge member formed from a plate of sheet metal, a dovetailed groove on one side of said plate and a tongue on the opposlte side formed to fit said groove, and two ears extending from one end of sald plate, said ears being bent to a different parallel plane from the plane of said plate, said plate being bent around said brace and secured thereto by the tongue and groove connection, said ears being projected from the end of the brace and in parallel lines on each side thereof, substantially as specified.

3. In a device of the character described, a brace, said brace being formed With a scarred end, a hinge member formed from a plate of sheet metal, interlocking parts formed thereon, said plate being bent around the scarred end of said brace and said interlocking parts engaged, and pivot ears extending from said plate and beyond the end of the rib, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of December, 1908.

HERBERT L. JOHNSTON. Vitnesses CHAS. I. IVnLon, OLIVER T. CLARKE. 

